Sulfonated polyaryletherketone-polyethersulfone block copolymers

ABSTRACT

Sulfonated block copolymer suitable for use as proton exchange membranes for fuel cells comprise sulfonated polyaryletherketone blocks and polyethersulfone blocks. The sulfonated polyaryletherketone blocks comprise structural units of formula 
                         
the polyethersulfone blocks comprising structural units of formula
 
                         
wherein
         R 1 , R 2 , R 3  and R 4  are independently C 1 -C 10  alkyl, C 3 -C 12  cycloalkyl, C 6 -C 14  aryl, allyl, alkenyl, alkoxy,halo, or cyano;   Z and Z 1  are independently a direct bond or O, S, (CH 2 ) r ; (CF 2 ) r , C(CH 3 ) 2 , C(CF 3 ) 2 , or a combination thereof;   M is H, a metal cation, a non-metallic inorganic cation, an organic cation or a mixture thereof   a is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3;   b, c and d are independently 0 or an integer from 1 to 4;   m and n are independently 0 or 1; and   r is an integer from 1 to 5.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to sulfonated polyaryletherketone-polyethersulfone block copolymers for use as proton exchange membranes.

Interest in using fuel cells as a clean, alternative power source has driven years of intense research in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell development to meet the cost and performance targets for automotive and portable applications. Current PEM fuel cells use mainly Nafion® or other perfluorosulfonic acid polymer membranes which have high proton conductivity and good chemical and mechanical stability under fully humidified conditions. However, the widespread use of these membranes has been limited by their high cost and poor performance at low relative humidities (RH). Therefore, alternative low-cost membrane materials which have better performance in less humidified conditions are desired.

Both polyethersulfones (PES) and polyaryletherketones (PAEK) such as polyetheretherketones (PEEK) are known for their excellent chemical and mechanical properties. The presence of crystallinity in PAEK also imparts solvent resistance. Sulfonated PES and PAEK polymers have been studied extensively for PEM fuel cell membrane applications. Polyaryletherketones are easily sulfonated by treatment with concentrated sulfuric acid. Therefore sulfonated PAEK (SPAEK) polymers, particularly sulfonated polyetheretherketones (SPEEK), reported to date have mostly been synthesized by post-sulfonation. However, directly copolymerized SPEEK polymers have also been reported recently. While polymer blends of SPEEK/PES have been described (Manea, et al., J. Membr. Sci., 206, 443-453 (2002)), block copolymers of SPEEK and PES have not been reported.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

It has been unexpectedly discovered that sulfonated polyaryletherketone-polyethersulfone (SPAEK-PES) block copolymers exhibit proton conductivities better than Nafion® 117 at 80° C., 25% relative humidity (RH) and show a reduced dependence on relative humidity compared to randomly sulfonated polyethersulfones. The block copolymers have increased phase separation between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains, resulting in a more open and connected ionic network for proton conduction. Unlike the corresponding random copolymers, water uptake typically does not increase significantly at higher temperatures. These polymers are suitable for replacing Nafion® in fuel cells for high temperature, low humidity applications.

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention relates to sulfonated block copolymers comprising sulfonated polyaryletherketone blocks and polyethersulfone blocks. The polyaryletherketone blocks comprising structural units of formula

polyethersulfone blocks comprising structural units of formula

wherein

-   -   R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are independently C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₃-C₁₂         cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₄ aryl, allyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, halo, or cyano;     -   Z and Z¹ are independently a direct bond or O, S, (CH₂)_(r),         (CF₂)_(r), C(CH₃)₂, C(CF₃)₂, or a combination thereof;     -   M is H, a metal cation, a non-metallic inorganic cation, an         organic cation or a mixture thereof;     -   a is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3;     -   b, c and d are independently 0 or an integer from 1 to 4;

m and n are independently 0 or 1;

-   -   r is an integer from 1 to 5.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to proton exchange membranes comprising the sulfonated block copolymers according to the present invention, and fuel cells containing them.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to sulfonated block copolymers comprising sulfonated polyaryletherketone blocks and polyethersulfone blocks. The sulfonated polyaryletherketone blocks include structural units of formula

and the polyethersulfone blocks include structural units of formula

wherein

-   -   R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are independently C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₃-C₁₂         cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₄ aryl, allyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, halo, or cyano;     -   Z and Z¹ are independently a direct bond or O, S, (CH₂)_(r),         (CF₂)_(r), C(CH₃)₂, C(CF₃)₂, or a combination thereof;     -   M is H, a metal cation, a non-metallic inorganic cation, an         organic cation or a mixture thereof;     -   a is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3;     -   b, c and d are independently 0 or an integer from 1 to 4;     -   m and n are independently 0 or 1; and     -   r is an integer from 1 to 5.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to sulfonated block copolymers comprising structural units of formula

-   -   x ranges from about 1 to about 50;     -   y ranges from about 1 to about 100;     -   x/(x+y) ranges from about 0.2 to about 0.8;         and other variables are defined as above.

In yet other embodiments, the present invention relates to sulfonated block copolymers comprising structural units of formula

wherein variables are defined as above.

In particular embodiments, any of a, b, c, or d may be 0. In specific embodiments, all of a, b, c, or d are 0, and the block copolymer is composed of unsubstituted structural units, except for the sulfonate groups.

In other embodiments, either of Z and Z¹ is a direct bond; in still other embodiments, both Z and Z¹ are direct bonds, and the block copolymer is composed of structural units derived from biphenol monomers.

The sulfonated polyaryletherketone blocks are made up of structural units of formula I and II

The SPAEK blocks are typically prepared by polycondensation of dihydroxyaryl monomers with sulfonated or unsulfonated dihalodiarylketones; alternately, condensation of sulfonated or unsulfonated dihalodiarylketone monomers, such as dichlorobenzophenone, with sulfonated or unsulfonated dihydroxydiarylketones, such as dihydroxybenzophenone may be used.

The units of formula I may be derived from one or more substituted or unsubstituted dihalobenzophenones such as 4,4′-difluorobenzophenone or 4,4′-dichlorobenzophenone, or from a di(halobenzoyl)benzene such as 1,4-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)benzene or 1,4-bis(4-chlorobenzoyl)benzene. In a particular embodiment, a and m are 0, and the units of formula I are derived from an unsubstituted dihalobenzophenone. Sulfonated dihalodiarylketone monomers, particularly sulfonated dihalobenzophenone monomers, are typically used to prepare the sulfonated blocks, although the SPAEK blocks may be prepared by post-sulfonation if desired. Post-sulfonation means direct sulfonation of a non-sulfonated PAEK oligomer, using a sulfonating reagent such as SO₃, ClSO₃H, Me₃SiSO₃Cl, or fuming or concentrated H₂SO₄. The use of sulfonated monomers typically allows greater control of polymer architecture. Examples of suitable sulfonated dihalobenzophenone monomers include 4,4′-difluoro-3,3′-disulfonated-benzophenone sodium and potassium salts; 4,4′-dichloro-3,3′-disulfonated-benzophenone sodium and potassium salts; and 4,4′-difluorobenzophenone-3,3′-bis(sulfonic acid) and 4,4′-dichlorobenzophenone-3,3′-bis(sulfonic acid).

The structural units of formula II may be derived from one or more dihydroxyaryl monomers, particularly bisphenol monomers. The bisphenol monomers may be either symmetrical or unsymmetrical. Examples of suitable dihydroxyaryl monomers include bisphenols such as (4-hydroxyphenyl)methane, 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (also known as bisphenol-A), 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphenol (6F-bisphenol), 4,4′-biphenol, 2,2-bis(4-hydroxy-3,5-dibromophenyl)propane and 3,3′-dichloro-4,4′-dihydroxydiphenyl; dihydric phenol ethers such as bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ether, bis(3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)ether; bis(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)ether; dihydroxy benzenes such as resorcinol, hydroquinone, halo- and alkyl-substituted dihydroxybenzenes such as 1,4-dihydroxy-2,5-dichlorobenzene, 1,4-dihydroxy-3-methylbenzene; dihydroxydiphenyl sulfides and sulfoxides such as bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) sulfide, bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfoxide and bis(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)sulfoxide. In a particular embodiment, Z is a direct bond and the units of formula II are derived from biphenol. In another embodiment, Z is C(CF₃)₂, and the units of formula II are derived from 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphenol. A variety of additional dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbons are available and are disclosed by name or formula (generic or specific) in U.S. Pat. No. 4,217,438.

The polyethersulfone blocks include structural units of formula III and IV

The PES blocks may be prepared by polycondensation of dihydroxyaryl monomers with dihalodiarylsulfones or polycondensation of dihalodiarylsulfone monomers, such as dichlorodiphenylsulfone, with dihydroxydiarylsulfones, such as dihydroxydiphenylsulfone. Examples of suitable dihalodiphenyl sulfones include 4,4′-dichlorodiphenylsulfone and 4,4′-difluorodiphenylsulfone. Examples of dihydroxyaryl monomers that are suitable for use in preparing the PES blocks include those described above as suitable for use in preparing SPAEK blocks.

The sulfonated block copolymers typically contain from about 30 to about 80 mol % sulfonation, particularly from about 40 to about 60 mol % sulfonation, and more particularly from about 35 mol % to about 45 mol % sulfonation. The term “mol % sulfonation” means mol % of the structural units derived from a ketone monomer and containing at least one sulfonate group, with respect to the total moles of structural units derived from ketone and sulfone monomers, and particularly refers to mol % of disulfonated structural units. That is, mol % sulfonation means the mol % of the structural units of formula I, with respect to the total moles of structural units of formula I and structural units of formula III, where the only structural units included in the block copolymers that are derived from ketone and/or sulfone monomers are the structural units of formula I and structural units of formula III. For sulfonation levels less than about 30%, proton conductivity of the membranes is typically low, and for sulfonation levels greater than about 80%, swelling and water uptake are typically high. Length of the SPAEK blocks, x, ranges from about 1 to about 50, more particularly from about 20 to about 50, and most particularly from about 25 to about 45. Length of the PES blocks, y, ranges from about 1 to about 100, particularly from about 40 to about 70. Degree of sulfonation of the block copolymers is typically controlled by the SPAEK/PES block length ratio, x/(x+y). The value of x/(x+y) ranges from about 0.4 to about 0.6, particularly from about 0.35 to about 0.45.

Weight average molecular weight (M_(w)) typically ranges from about 20,000 to about 200,000 Daltons, and particularly from about 100,000 to about 150,000 Daltons as measured by gel permeation chromatography in N,N-dimethylacetamide/LiBr using polyethylene oxide and polyethylene glycol standards.

Total molecular weight of the sulfonated block copolymers is typically not critical, although higher molecular weights, that is, 100,000-150,000 Daltons, may be desirable in some embodiments.

The block copolymers may be prepared by processes known in the art. These include nucleophilic displacement of stoichiometric quantities of bisphenolate salts with activated aromatic dihalides in polar aprotic solvents. In particular, the block copolymers may be synthesized by nucleophilic aromatic substitution using potassium carbonate in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO).

The polymers may also be prepared using phase transfer-catalyzed nucleophilic displacement of bisphenols with dihaloaryl monomers. Suitable phase transfer catalysts include hexaalkylguanidinium salts and bis-guanidinium salts. Typically the phase transfer catalyst comprises an anionic species such as halide, mesylate, tosylate, tetrafluoroborate, or acetate as the charge-balancing counterion(s). Suitable guanidinium salts include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,132,423; 5,116,975 and 5,081,298. Other suitable phase transfer catalysts include p-dialkylamino-pyridinium salts, bis-dialkylaminopyridinium salts, bis-quaternary ammonium salts, bis-quatemary phosphonium salts, and phosphazenium salts. Suitable bis-quaternary ammonium and phosphonium salts are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,357. Suitable aminopyridinium salts are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,460,778; 4,513,141 and 4,681,949. Suitable phosphazenium salts are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/950,874. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the quaternary ammonium and phosphonium salts disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,273,712 may also be used.

Either of the SPAEK or the PES blocks may be synthesized first, although it may be desirable to synthesize the SPAEK blocks first where the possibility of transetherification and scrambling to produce random copolymers of SPEEK and PES is of particular concern. Transetherification in the presence of fluoride anion and potassium carbonate may occur more readily in polyethersulfones than in polyetherketones, especially at temperatures greater than 200° C.

In separate embodiments, the present invention also relates to membranes, especially proton exchange or polymer electrolyte membranes, that include any of the sulfonated block copolymers according to the present invention, and to fuel cells that include the membranes.

Definitions

In the context of the present invention, alkyl is intended to include linear, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon structures and combinations thereof, including lower alkyl and higher alkyl. Preferred alkyl groups are those of C₂₀ or below. Lower alkyl refers to alkyl groups of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and includes methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, and n-, s- and t-butyl. Higher alkyl refers to alkyl groups having seven or more carbon atoms, preferably 7-20 carbon atoms, and includes n-, s- and t-heptyl, octyl, and dodecyl. Cycloalkyl is a subset of alkyl and includes cyclic hydrocarbon groups of from 3 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples of cycloalkyl groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, and norbornyl.

Aryl and heteroaryl mean a 5- or 6-membered aromatic or heteroaromatic ring containing 0-4 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur; a bicyclic 9- or 10-membered aromatic or heteroaromatic ring system containing 0-4 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur; or a tricyclic 13- or 14-membered aromatic or heteroaromatic ring system containing 0-4 heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur. The aromatic 6- to 14-membered carbocyclic rings include, for example, benzene, naphthalene, indane, tetralin, and fluorene; and the 5- to 10-membered aromatic heterocyclic rings include, e.g., imidazole, pyridine, indole, thiophene, benzopyranone, thiazole, furan, benzimidazole, quinoline, isoquinoline, quinoxaline, pyrimidine, pyrazine, tetrazole and pyrazole.

Arylalkyl means an alkyl residue attached to an aryl ring. Examples are benzyl and phenethyl. Heteroarylalkyl means an alkyl residue attached to a heteroaryl ring. Examples include pyridinylmethyl and pyrimidinylethyl. Alkylaryl means an aryl residue having one or more alkyl groups attached thereto. Examples are tolyl and mesityl.

Alkoxy or alkoxyl refers to groups of from 1 to 8 carbon atoms of a straight, branched, cyclic configuration and combinations thereof attached to the parent structure through an oxygen. Examples include methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, cyclopropyloxy, and cyclohexyloxy. Lower alkoxy refers to groups containing one to four carbons.

Acyl refers to groups of from 1 to 8 carbon atoms of a straight, branched, cyclic configuration, saturated, unsaturated and aromatic and combinations thereof, attached to the parent structure through a carbonyl functionality. One or more carbons in the acyl residue may be replaced by nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur as long as the point of attachment to the parent remains at the carbonyl. Examples include acetyl, benzoyl, propionyl, isobutyryl, t-butoxycarbonyl, and benzyloxycarbonyl. Lower-acyl refers to groups containing one to four carbons.

Heterocycle means a cycloalkyl or aryl residue in which one to four of the carbons is replaced by a heteroatom such as oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur. Examples of heterocycles that fall within the scope of the invention include pyrrolidine, pyrazole, pyrrole, indole, quinoline, isoquinoline, tetrahydroisoquinoline, benzofuran, benzodioxan, benzodioxole (commonly referred to as methylenedioxyphenyl, when occurring as a substituent), tetrazole, morpholine, thiazole, pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, thiophene, furan, oxazole, oxazoline, isoxazole, dioxane, and tetrahydrofuran, triazole, benzotriazole, and triazine.

Substituted refers to structural units, including, but not limited to, alkyl, alkylaryl, aryl, arylalkyl, and heteroaryl, wherein up to three H atoms of the residue are replaced with lower alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, haloalkyl, alkoxy, carbonyl, carboxy, carboxalkoxy, carboxamido, acyloxy, amidino, nitro, halo, hydroxy, OCH(COOH)₂, cyano, primary amino, secondary amino, acylamino, alkylthio, sulfoxide, sulfone, phenyl, benzyl, phenoxy, benzyloxy, heteroaryl, or heteroaryloxy; each of said phenyl, benzyl, phenoxy, benzyloxy, heteroaryl, and heteroaryloxy is optionally substituted with 1-3 substituents selected from lower alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, halogen, hydroxy, haloalkyl, alkoxy, cyano, phenyl, benzyl, benzyloxy, carboxamido, heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy, nitro or —NRR (wherein R is independently H, lower alkyl or cycloalkyl, and —RR may be fused to form a cyclic ring with nitrogen).

Haloalkyl refers to an alkyl residue, wherein one or more H atoms are replaced by halogen atoms; the term haloalkyl includes perhaloalkyl. Examples of haloalkyl groups that fall within the scope of the invention include CH₂F, CHF₂, and CF₃.

Any numerical values recited herein include all values from the lower value to the upper value in increments of one unit provided that there is a separation of at least 2 units between any lower value and any higher value. As an example, if it is stated that the amount of a component or a value of a process variable such as, for example, temperature, pressure, time and the like is, for example, from 1 to 90, preferably from 20 to 80, more preferably from 30 to 70, it is intended that values such as 15 to 85, 22 to 68, 43 to 51, 30 to 32 etc. are expressly enumerated in this specification. For values which are less than one, one unit is considered to be 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01 or 0.1 as appropriate. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

EXAMPLES

The sulfonated polyetheretherketone-polyethersulfones (SPEEK-PES) were synthesized in one pot by sequential addition of monomers. Random SPEEK-PES was synthesized by adding both dihalide monomers simultaneously to the mixture of biphenol and potassium carbonate (Scheme 1). At 145-155° C., high molecular weight polymers were obtained after approximately three hours. Block SPEEK-PES was synthesized by first making the sulfonated polyetheretherketone oligomer of desired length and then adding the difluorodiphenylsulfone and biphenol monomers in the amounts required to make polyethersulfone oligomers of desired length (Scheme 1). These reactions were also very rapid, and high molecular weight polymers were obtained after 2-3 hours. The SPEEK block was synthesized first to reduce the possibility of transetherification and scrambling. The blocky nature of the copolymers was confirmed by ¹³C NMR.

General Experimental Procedures

The 3,3′-disulfonated-4,4′-difluorobenzophenone was synthesized according to a slightly modified literature procedure (Xing, P.; Robertson, G. P.; Guiver, M. D.; Mikhailenko, S. D.; Kaliaguine, S., J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2004, 42, 2866-2876). Monomers and potassium carbonate were dried and stored in a nitrogen purge box. Toluene was dried over activated molecular sieves. All other chemicals were used as received.

Example 1 Synthesis of 3,3′-Disulfonated-4,4′-Difluorobenzophenone

Difluorobenzophenone (100 g, 0.458 mol) was transferred into a 1 L round bottom flask and 250 mL fuming sulfuric acid (30% SO₃) was added. The mixture was stirred under nitrogen at 110° C. for 7 hours. The mixture was cooled to room temperature and poured into 1.5 L of ice water. The insoluble material was filtered off. NaCl was added to the solution to salt out the product. The white pasty solid was isolated on a large Buchner funnel, redissolved in a minimum of deionized water, and neutralized to pH 7 using 10N NaOH. The product was again salted out with NaCl. The white pasty solid was recrystallized from 3:1 isopropanol/water (note: some grayish water insoluble material should be filtered off before recrystallizing.) Isolated yield: 71 g (37%). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆): δ 7.34 (t, 2H), 7.72 (m, 2H), 8.07 (dd, 2H).

Example 2 Synthesis of Random Sulfonated Polyetheretherketone-Polyethersulfone

4,4′-Biphenol (1 g, 5.37 mmol) and K₂CO₃ (1.113 g, 8.06 mmol) were transferred into a three-neck flask connected to a Dean-Stark trap/condenser, nitrogen inlet, and mechanical stirrer. Anhydrous DMSO (7 mL) and toluene (2 mL) were added. The mixture was stirred at 145° C. for 2.5 hours. Sulfonated difluorobenzophenone (1.134 g, 2.69 mmol) and 4,4′-difluorodiphenylsulfone (0.683 g, 2.69 mmol) were added to the reaction, and the mixture was stirred at 145° C. for 1 hour, after which the mixture became very viscous. DMSO (9 mL) was added to dilute, and the mixture was stirred for another 30 minutes until it became more viscous again. The mixture was further diluted with DMSO (15 mL) and poured into stirring isopropanol. The polymer was isolated, dried under vacuum briefly, and washed/soaked in deionized water until the filtrate pH was neutral. The polymer was dried under vacuum at 100° C.

Example 3 Synthesis of Blocky Sulfonated Polyetheretherketone-Polyethersulfone

The length of the SPEEK block was adjusted by the stoichiometry of sulfonated difluorobenzophenone and 4,4′-biphenol. The degree of sulfonation was adjusted by the ratio of SPEEK:PES block length. Sulfonated difluorobenzophenone (1.3 g, 3.08 mmol), 4,4′-biphenol (0.688 g, 3.69 mmol), and K₂CO₃ (1.404 g, 10.2 mmol) were transferred into a three-neck flask connected to a Dean-Stark trap/condenser, nitrogen inlet, and mechanical stirrer. DMSO (4.5 mL) and toluene (2 mL) were added. The mixture was stirred at 145° C. for 1 hour, after which the mixture became pasty. 4,4′-Difluorodiphenylsulfone (0.939 g, 3.69 mmol), 4,4′-biphenol (0.573 g, 3.08 mmol), and DMSO (3.5 mL) were added. The orange SPEEK oligomer paste was scraped off the sides of the flask into the solution to facilitate the reaction. (This situation can be avoided by using a more dilute reaction mixture.) The mixture was stirred vigorously without heating until the mixture became homogeneous, then it was stirred at 145° C. for 30 minutes. The viscous solution was diluted with DMSO (10 mL) and stirred at 145° C. for another 30 minutes, after which the solution became even more viscous. The mixture was diluted with DMSO (10 mL) and poured into stirring isopropanol. The polymer was isolated, dried under vacuum briefly, and washed/soaked in deionized water until the filtrate pH was neutral. The polymer was dried under vacuum at 100° C.

Example 4 Membrane Preparation

The pure polymers were cast onto a glass plate from 10 wt % solutions in DMSO using a doctor blade (15 mil). The films were dried at 50° C. for 4 hours and then under vacuum at 100° C. for 24 hours. Acidification of the films was achieved by soaking in 1M H₂SO₄ at room temperature for 24 hours, followed by soaking in deionized water for 6 hours. The films were then dried in the vacuum oven at 100° C. for 24 hours.

Example 5 Membrane Proton Conductivity Measurement

The proton conductivity of the polymer membranes was determined by 4-electrode impedance measurements at various temperatures and relative humidities. Measurements used a Parstat impedance analyzer with PowerSine software, using a signal amplitude that ranged from 5 to 50 mV and frequencies ranging from 2 Hz to 2 MHz. The sample dimensions varied between samples, with a typical sample being 1.5 cm×2.5 cm and having a thickness ranging from 20 to 100 μm. Typical membranes were 25-50 μm in thickness.

Example 6 Membrane Water Uptake Measurement

Membrane water uptake was determined using a thin film sample with a nominal area of ca. 20×20 mm². The sample film was first dried in a vacuum oven at 110° C. for 2 hours and then immediately weighed with a microbalance to obtain its dry weight. The film was then soaked for 2 hours in deionized water at various temperatures (room temperature, 60° C., 90° C., and boiling.) After soaking, the film was taken out, quickly patted dry to remove any surface water droplets, and then immediately weighed to obtain the sample weight after soaking. Water uptake is expressed as the percent increase in weight of the sample relative to the weight of the vacuum dried sample and is calculated according to the following equation: Water Uptake=[weight (wet)−weight (dry)]/[weight (dry)]×100%

The proton conductivity of a series of 40%, 50%, and 60% sulfonated SPEEK-PES copolymers of different SPEEK block length is summarized in Tables 1-3. In general, conductivity increased with increasing degree of sulfonation and longer block lengths. Notably, these copolymers exhibited conductivities on the order of 10⁻³ S/cm at 25% RH at 80° C. In particular, 40% sulfonated block copolymers with block lengths greater than 15 exhibited conductivities higher than Nafion® at 80° C., 25% RH. Polyethersulfones of comparable degree of sulfonation generally show conductivities less than 10⁻⁴ S/cm under the same conditions.

TABLE 1 Proton conductivity of 40% sulfonated SPEEK-PES copolymers Temp. RH Conductivity (S/cm) (° C.) (%) random x = 5 x = 10 x = 15 x = 20 x = 25 20 100 0.0246 0.0519 0.0410 0.0737 0.088 0.0519 60 50 0.0022 0.0029 0.0035 0.0044 0.0084 0.0036 80 25 0.0001 0.0005 0.0017 0.0059 0.0036 0.005 80 50 0.0021 0.0042 0.0042 0.0061 0.0072 0.0041 80 75 0.0038 0.0091 0.0145 0.0155 0.021 0.019 80 100 0.0082 0.0227 0.0518 0.0407 0.073 0.0567 100 50 0.0032 0.0040 0.0044 0.0074 0.0098 0.0045 100 75 0.0069 0.0175 0.0181 0.0187 n.d. 0.019 120 50 0.0008 0.0027 0.0028 0.0032 0.0044 0.0029

TABLE 2 Proton conductivity of 50% sulfonated SPEEK-PES copolymers Temp. RH Conductivity (S/cm) (° C.) (%) random x = 5 x = 10 x = 15 20 100 0.0301 0.0593 0.0623 0.0714 60 50 0.0019 0.0015 0.0039 0.0052 80 25 0.0008 0.0006 0.0022 0.0019 80 50 0.0036 0.0030 0.0054 0.0051 80 75 0.0132 0.0199 0.0223 0.0212 80 100 0.0512 0.1005 0.0681 0.1043 100 50 0.0034 0.0032 0.0031 0.0056 100 75 0.0088 0.0181 0.0178 0.0169 120 50 0.0013 0.0027 0.0023 0.0032

TABLE 3 Proton conductivity of 60% sulfonated SPEEK-PES copolymers Temp. RH Conductivity (S/cm) (° C.) (%) random x = 5 x = 10 x = 15 20 100 0.0645 0.0996 0.0782 0.0830 60 50 0.0057 0.0094 0.0037 0.0043 80 25 0.0012 0.0018 0.0003 0.0006 80 50 0.0064 0.0107 0.0045 0.0088 80 75 0.0157 0.0209 0.0176 0.0328 80 100 0.2335 0.0675 0.0653 0.1021 100 50 0.0046 0.0079 0.0042 0.0107 100 75 0.0217 0.0263 0.0224 0.0310 120 50 0.0040 0.0042 0.0039 0.0054

Proton conductivities of the SPEEK-PES copolymers at 80° C., 100% RH were similar to (0.05-0.07 S/cm) and in some cases better than (0.1 S/cm) Nafion®. The reduced dependence of proton conductivity on relative humidity was more pronounced for the blockier (x=10, 15) copolymers, especially at 40% sulfonation.

Water uptake tended to increase with increasing degree of sulfonation and increasing SPEEK block length. However, the water uptake of the block copolymers increased less serverly at higher temperatures compared to the random copolymer.

While only certain feature of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the apppended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention. 

1. A sulfonated block copolymer comprising sulfonated polyaryletherketone blocks comprising structural units of formula

polyethersulfone blocks comprising structural units of formula

wherein R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are independently C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₃-C₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆-C14 aryl, allyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, halo, or cyano; Z and Z¹ are independently a direct bond or O, S, (CH2)_(r); (CF2)_(r), C(CH₃)₂, C(CF₃)₂, or a combination thereof; M is H, a metal cation, a non-metallic inorganic cation, an organic cation or a mixture thereof a is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3; b, c and d are independently 0 or an integer from 1 to 4; m and n are independently 0 or 1; and r is an integer from 1 to
 5. 2. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein a is
 0. 3. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein b is
 0. 4. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein c is
 0. 5. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein d is
 0. 6. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein m is
 0. 7. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein n is
 0. 8. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein Z is a direct bond.
 9. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein Z¹ is a direct bond.
 10. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein at least one of Z and Z¹ is C(CF₃)₂.
 11. A sulfonated block copolymer comprising structural units of formula

R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are independently C₁-C₁₀ alkyl, C₃-C₁₂ cycloalkyl, C₆-C₁₄ aryl, allyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, halo, or cyano; Z and Z¹ are independently a direct bond or O, S, (CH₂)_(r), (CF₂)_(r), C(CH₃)₂, C(CF₃)₂, or a combination thereof; M is H, a metal cation, a non-metallic inorganic cation, an organic cation or a mixture thereof a is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3; b, c and d are independently 0 or an integer from 1 to 4; m and n are independently 0 or 1; r is an integer from 1 to 5; x ranges from about 1 to about 50; y ranges from about 1 to about 100; and x/(x+y) ranges from about 0.2 to about 0.8.
 12. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 11, wherein a is
 0. 13. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 11, wherein b is
 0. 14. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 11, wherein c is
 0. 15. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 11, wherein d is
 0. 16. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 11, wherein m is
 0. 17. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 11, wherein n is
 0. 18. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 11, wherein Z is a direct bond.
 19. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 11, wherein Z¹ is a direct bond.
 20. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 11, wherein at least one of Z and Z¹ is C(CF3)2.
 21. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 11, wherein x ranges from about 20 to about
 50. 22. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 11, wherein x ranges from about 25 to about
 45. 23. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 11, wherein y ranges from about 40 to about
 70. 24. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 11, wherein x/(x+y) ranges from about 0.4 to about 0.6.
 25. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 11, wherein x/(x+y) ranges from about 0.35 to about 0.45.
 26. A sulfonated block copolymer comprising structural units of formula

M is H, a metal cation, a non-metallic inorganic cation, an organic cation or a mixture thereof; x ranges from about 1 to about 50; y ranges from about 1 to about 100; and x/(x+y) ranges from about 0.2 to about 0.8.
 27. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 26, wherein x/(x+y) ranges from about 0.4 to about 0.6.
 28. A sulfonated block copolymer according to claim 26, wherein x/(x+y) ranges from about 0.35 to about 0.45.
 29. A membrane comprising a sulfonated block copolymer according to any one of claims 1,11, and
 26. 30. A fuel cell comprising a membrane according to claim
 29. 